Neil Johnston

FOOTFALL across Northern Ireland’s high streets and retail hubs was 5% lower last month than during November 2022, new analysis suggests.

JULY saw shoppers out in greater numbers across the north, with latest official footfall figures being described a "encouraging".

SOME of the economic gloom has eased at last for beleaguered Northern Ireland households with confirmation that food inflation has fallen for a second month running as supermarkets cut the price of kitchen cupboard staples.

FOOTFALL activity at the north’s retail hotspots deteriorated between March and April, new data suggests.

SHOPPER numbers on the high streets and shopping centres across the north improved again in March - and retailers say they expect a further bounce in April given the Easter bank holidays.

FEBRUARY was "another encouraging month" for shoppers getting out and about across the north as footfall figures were ahead of the UK average.

BUSINESS groups across Northern Ireland have broadly welcomed the decision to freeze the regional non-domestic rate for the 2023/24 financial year.

THE head of Northern Ireland Retail Consortium has described the rates hike facing businesses across all 11 districts in the north as “hugely disappointing”.

THE north’s shopping hubs started 2023 in a much stronger fashion than 2022, but new footfall analysis shows activity is still well down on pre-pandemic levels.

THE price of everyday staples on the shelves of Northern Ireland stores has hit at 18-year high, a new retail index shows.